World Conference
against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related IntoleranceDepartment of Public Information- News and Media Services Division
-New York

Durban, South Africa
31 August – 7 September 2001

RD/D/385 September 2001

ACTION TAKEN BY WORKING GROUPS ON DRAFT DECLARATION

AND DRAFT ACTION PROGRAMME, 4 SEPTEMBER

On Tuesday, 4 September, Working Group I on the draft declaration for the World
Conference on Racism and Working Group II on the draft programme of action for
the Conference each held three meetings. Working Group I is being chaired by
Marc Bossuyt of Belgium, and Working Group II is being chaired by Bonaventure
M. Bowa of Zambia.

Since the opening of the Conference on 31 August, Working Group II has adopted
a total of 27 paragraphs.

The texts adopted by Working Group II are contained in Annex II.

ANNEX I - DRAFT DECLARATION

The following paragraphs were adopted by Working Group I:

24. Affirming that racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
where they amount to racism and racial discrimination, constitute serious violations
of and obstacles to the full enjoyment of all human rights, and deny the self
evident truth that all human beings are born free, and equal in dignity and
rights, are an obstacle to friendly and peaceful
relations among peoples and nations, and are among the root causes of many internal
and international conflicts including armed conflicts and the consequent forced
displacement of populations; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

72. We affirm that the ethnic, cultural, linguistic and religious identity
of minorities where they exist must be protected and that persons belonging
to such minorities should be treated equally and enjoy their human rights and
fundamental freedoms without discrimination of any kind; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

73. We recognize that members of certain groups with a distinct cultural identity
face barriers arising from a complex interplay of ethnic, religious and other
factors as well as their traditions and customs, and call upon States to ensure
that measures, policies and programmes aimed at eradicating racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance address the barriers that this interplay
of factors creates; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

106. We also recognize the need to promote the use of new information and communication
technologies, including Internet, to contribute to the fight against racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In fulfilling this
need, new technologies can assist the promotion of tolerance and respect of
human dignity, and the principles of equality and non-discrimination; (ADOPTED
by WG on 4/9)

108. We reaffirm that the stigmatization of people of different origins by
acts or omissions of public authorities, institutions, the media, political
parties or national or local organizations is not only an act of racial discrimination
but can also incite the recurrence of such acts, thereby resulting in the creation
of a vicious circle which reinforces racist attitudes and prejudices, and which
must be condemned; (Adopted by the 3rd PrepCom, except part in brackets / ADOPTED
by WG on 4/9)

129. We recall the importance of enhancing international cooperation to promote
(a) the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance; (b) the effective implementation by States of international treaties
and instruments that forbid these practices (c) the goals of the Charter of
the United Nations in this regard (d) the achievement of the goals established
by the conferences held by the United Nations in the 1990s in Rio de Janeiro,
Vienna, Cairo, Copenhagen, Beijing, Istanbul and Rome, making sure that such
goals will encompass with equity all the victims of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia and related intolerance; (Adopted by the 3rd PrepCom, except part
in brackets / ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

133. We recognize the important role relevant regional bodies, including regional
associations of national human rights institutions, can play in combating racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, and the key role
they can play in monitoring and raising awareness about intolerance and discrimination
at the regional level, and reaffirm support for such bodies where they exist
and encourage their establishment; (Adopted by the 3rd PrepCom, except bracketed
parts / ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

140. We recognize that international and national exchange and dialogue, and
the development of a global network among youth are important and fundamental
elements in building intercultural understanding and respect, and will contribute
to the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related
intolerance; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

ANNEX II - DRAFT PROGRAMME OF ACTION

The following paragraphs were adopted by Working Group II on the Draft Programme
of Action as at 9 p.m. 3 September:

204. Invites States to include the subject of the struggle against racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in the work programmes
of the regional integration agencies and of the regional cross-boundary dialogue
forums; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

208. Encourages States, in cooperation with non-governmental organizations,
to undertake campaigns aimed at clarifying opportunities, limitations and rights
in the event of migration so as to enable everyone, in particular women, to
make informed decisions and to prevent them from becoming victims of trafficking;
(ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

211. Requests adequate resources for the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination in order to enable the full discharge of its mandate and stresses
the importance of providing adequate resources for all United Nations human
rights treaty bodies; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

217. Invites the Inter-Parliamentary Union to contribute to the activities
of the International Year of Mobilization against Racism, Racial Discrimination,
Xenophobia and Related Intolerance by encouraging national Parliaments to review
progress on the objectives of the World Conference; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

217 bis Encourages States to participate in regional dialogues on problems
of migration and invites them to consider negotiating bilateral and regional
agreements on migrant workers and designing and implementing programmes with
States of other regions to protect the rights of migrants; (ADOPTED by WG on
4/9)

218. Urges States, in consultation with civil society, to support or otherwise
establish, as appropriate, regional, comprehensive dialogues on the causes and
consequences of migration that focus not only on law enforcement and border
control, but also on the promotion and protection of the human rights of migrants
and on the relationship between migration and development; (ADOPTED by WG on
4/9)

219. Encourages international organizations having mandates dealing specifically
with migration issues to exchange information and coordinate their activities
on matters involving racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance
against migrants, including migrant workers, with the support of the Office
of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights; (ADOPTED by WG on
4/9)

224. Encourages States to conclude bilateral, subregional, regional and international
agreements to address the problem of trafficking in women and children, in particular
girls, as well as the smuggling of migrants; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

228. Urges international organizations, within their mandates, to contribute
to the fight against racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
(ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

231. Invites the United Nations and UNESCO to continue to organize high-level
and other meetings on the Dialogue among Civilizations and, with this purpose,
to mobilize funds and promote partnerships; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

232. Encourages the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue
and expand the appointment and designation of goodwill ambassadors in all countries
of the world in order to, inter alia, promote respect for human rights, a culture
of tolerance and to increase the level of awareness about the scourge of racism,
racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance; (ADOPTED by WG on
4/9)

232 bis Calls upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to
continue its efforts to further increase awareness of the work of the Committee
on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and other United Nations human rights
treaty bodies; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)

233. Invites the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, in consultation
with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and
non-governmental organizations active in the field of the promotion and protection
of human rights, to undertake regular consultations with them and to encourage
research activities aimed at collecting, maintaining and adapting the technical,
scientific, educational and information materials produced by all cultures around
the world to fight racism; (ADOPTED by WG on 4/9)